The CABA 2011 Honors

CABA Honors Civic Leaders in the Community

By Allison Skeete

MAPLEWOOD, NJ Friday, June 10, 2011: The Caribbean American Business Association of New Jersey recently held its annual gala dinner in Newark at the Airport Marriott Hotel. The economic and cultural growth of business leaders in New Jersey’s Caribbean American community and the greater Diaspora are chief reasons CABA was founded the opportunity for the procurement of success and benefit to the community is paramount for the success aimed for by CABA; they aim to help members to capitalize by using networking that help businesses manage their business and maintain their success.

This year's award winners were East Orange General Hospital and Senator Ronald Rice; a stalwart in public service in Essex County along with Everton Scott Regional Public Affairs Manager for PSE&G.

East Orange General Hospital was honored with the Corporate Award; this is the only independent and fully accredited acute care hospital in Essex County with recognized programs in Kidney Dialysis, wound and emergency services. It’s a 211 bed facility and has survived to remain in operation when many others have closed in the county. Originally founded in Newark in 1903 it was relocated to East Orange in 1926 and has been expanded to occupy four long blocks along Central Avenue today. (Left: East Orange General Hospital representatives accept their award from Carl Fraser, CABA Bd. Member, Photo by VisionsInPictures)

Consolidations and closing of other area hospitals means a continual changing in the mission of East Orange General Hospital but its underlying quest to provide patient care remains a committed one. Today they have a state-of-the art MRI unit and have begun to implement an electronic health records system to ensure faster and more accurate patient care with more easily accessible patient records. Today East Orange Hospital stands as the head cornerstone of a community of an ever changing population at large.

(Sen. Rice receives his award from CABA Bd. Member, Dr. Elise Bourne-Busby, Photo by VisionsInPictures)
The stellar accomplishments of Senator Rice, were highlighted when he was presented with the President’s Award acknowledging his work and commitment to his constituents; he’s been elected seven times to retain his office which he first entered in 1986. The scholar, Marine Corp. Veteran and former police detective is known for fighting for the rights of people without bias and influence; though born in Richmond, VA, the state of New Jersey garnered a champion in this leader who’s affectionately known ‘Lion of the Senate’.


(Everton Scott gives expressive thanks for his award. Photo by VisionsInPictures) Everton Scott is the Regional Public Affairs Manager in Essex and Passaic Counties for Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G); another community stalwart who received the Community Service Award. He serves on many Board of Directors such as the Morris County Planning Board, the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, the North New Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Morris County Human Relations commission and Morris Tomorrow and the County College of Morris County to name a few. He’s a native of Jamaica, West Indies and is the proud husband and father. He and wife Pauline have two children and strongly support his achievements as a scholar and businessman. He credited his humble beginnings and different experiences as worth overcoming to stand and accept the honor of achievement from a community that relates to his ideals, and commitment.

The event’s Keynote Speaker Dr. Valentine Burroughs is the Chief Medical Officer at East Orange General Hospital; he is a Board Certified Internist and Endocrinologist who has also served as the Chief ME in Wilmington, Delaware and in New York City. He provided remarks on the changes in health care under the new system signed into law by President Barack Obama and provided insight to what we should know and expect. He’s spent much time in communities plagued by poor health and other disparities; these are often over run areas overlooked but that are badly in need of services. He’s worked to established programs for overweight and obesity management and had written many landmark articles and a book on racial and ethnic difference in response to medication and ethics in the pharmaceutical industries.